You may not think of it this way, but your skin is your body's first line of defense against the environment around you.It helps protect you from injury, infection and harmful substances. It also helps regulate your body temperature and plays a role in your sense of touch. Although it is not possible to turn back the hands of time, its effects can be dramatically slowed down and improved with the arsenal of skincare procedures and techniques available.

How aging affects the health of your skin

As we age, skin cells replace themselves more slowly, and the thick underlying layer of the skin, the dermis begins to thin. The network of elastin and collagen fibers that allows our skin to stretch and retract begins to unravel, and the fat layer under the dermis sags. (Elastin and collagen are proteins found in the body's connective tissue.) Sweat and oil  producing glands become less active. The skin can no longer retain moisture and your skin becomes drier. On the face, the thinner and less elastic skin tends to sag and fold. Permanent crease lines and crow's feet form on the brow and around the eyes. The eyebrows drop, and loose skin folds around the upper and lower eyelids. Tiny wrinkles form around the lips. The tissues of the jaw and neck droop into jowls and double chins. The skin of the neck droops into folds and wattles. Your skin replaces old cells more slowly, and cells repair themselves less effectively. This can result in slower turnover of surface skin and slower wound healing. In some cases, changes in connective tissue can cause your skin to lose its resilience and give your skin a tough, weathered appearance. With age, you may also accumulate skin discoloration and skin growths, such as age spots and skin tags.